Low level of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein: its associated anxiety and the effects of genetic counseling.

A low maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening result can be expected to cause measurable anxiety for couples, particularly when the woman is younger than 35 years of age. This study was designed to investigate the levels of anxiety present in these patients and show the effectiveness of genetic counseling on this anxiety. The women and their partners were given the State Trait Anxiety Inventory before and after counseling. A control group of low-risk pregnant patients was also given the state anxiety inventory for comparison. The mean level of anxiety for the control group was 36, significantly lower than either the precounseling or postcounseling level of the group with low maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening results (p less than .05). The study shows that genetic counseling, in addition to appraising couples of the risks and options involved, does significantly reduce their anxiety level regardless of whether an amniocentesis was performed.